Here's mine. Sorry I don't have a good head on picture.

This one from further away

Here's mine. We made the narrow tea cupboard on the left, and built the chase behind the oven so we could vent it externally.

straight on view

Here is a link that might be useful: Kitchen makeover

They aren't all bad. If you have a small kitchen, like we do, then they are kind of necessary. And they are super convenient. We didn't want it originally, but it's handy. And our terrible soffit complicated other options.

And I need to take some better pictures during the day, but here it is:

Have you asked for help here with your design? While there are some very few instances when they're necessary, you should really try to find a way around it. Ask here...we have some people who can "think outside the box" when it comes to kitchen design...unfortunately, too many KDs cannot seem to do that.

here's mine (I think it's the same one as xand83)

Not always necessary, but sometimes still the best solution. I came up with lots of prettier plans with different kinds of hoods, but since I can't vent outside it just seemed silly to waste the space on a frivole in such a small kitchen, and I went back to OTR.

(And yeah, I know all the arguments about what if you spill something yada yada. Still the most sensible location for my particular kitchen.)

Here is a picture of our OTR. Kitchen is not quite done yet as you can see. We too have a very small kitchen and the micro was on the counter in the old one. We wanted the counter space so went with an OTR that is vented outside and also found a unit with 600 CFM, the highest I could find. It is a Kenmore Elite. I also like that there is no handle protuding from the front.

{{!gwi}}

Vented to ouside and works fine for us.

Jay

Here's ours. It is the Kenmore Elite like vtlakehouse posted above. The 600 cfms and the no handle are great features but I also like that all the controls are along the bottom of the microwave. It makes it very easy to see.

Hi ejbry...

Just want to say those are some sweet kitchens...

KA:)

Here is mine but in my "finished kitchen thread" so you have to scroll down (sorry)

Piaa

Here is a link that might be useful: OTR Microwave photo

While I've been pretty happy with our whirlpool, I wish that Kenmore Elite with the 600 cfm fan had been available when we added ours. It looks great and I would love the extra capacity. How loud is it?

Mabel

Threebees, your granite is beautiful. Like it in the full backsplash. What is the granite called if you don't mind?
Prill, soapstone is so pretty.

Here is the one in our last home.

This was our OTR micro in our previous home with a small, galley kitchen.

I didnt want an OTR microwave because they aren't "cool". I love our new setup with OTR. Would I use a range hood if I had a 20'x20' kitchen...sure, but I dont, so I used the space I have as best as I could.

Before - note that you dont even see a microwave, it is actually sitting on a countertop just to the left as you enter the kitchen from the den. Talk about inconvenient.

{{!gwi}}

After - so very much better. Microwave is right there in my work triangle. No more traipsing to the other side of the kitchen.

{{gwi:1582351}}

I have a small kitchen and this works for us. I still
long for making some changes and getting a Modernaire.
Here is a picture if you look in the right side you can
see my MW. I would take a current image but then I would
have to clean up.

We've had an OTR micro for 10 years, and as others have said, it isn't horrible, But it also isn't ideal either. (sorry I don't have a picture to post) When someone is cooking at the stove it is tricky for another person to use the micro, and if they take something hot out of the micro there isn't an easy place to put it down. Plus, now that my youngest is using the micro on his own (age 10) it's a little dicey because it's so high.

We will be changing to a microwave drawer when we remodel our kitchen. Our neighbor put one in and it is great. Do you have any place where you can put a microwave drawer?

Here's a blog post with a higher-end but small-space appliances, including an OTR micro.

Here is a link that might be useful: Yale appliance blog

This is not a finished kitchen...the only thing we've done so far is replace the appliances but here's a crappy cell pic...

mabeldingeldine (that was hard to type:)),

I do find the Kenmore at little bit loud when it is on the highest setting but I usually don't use it at that setting for long. It does a great job even on the middle setting. I can see it pull the steam towards the vents even though the microwave doesn't come out over the front burners.

maggie08,

My granite is Typhoon Bordeaux. Love it!

Here are a couple pictures during different stages of my still incomplete kitchen.

Irishcreamgirl-I love your backsplash. It's beautiful and different. What is it?

A previous remodel.

Here's mine. As others have said it can be tricky on occasion but for me the positive outweighs the negative.

Here's ours from our almost complete remodel. We like it here and find the positives outweigh any of the negatives simply because there is no where else that is as convenient. I held off taking the picture until the backsplash went in.

leela4,

I apologize for the delay in responding.

I purchased my tile at Mosaic Tile Company. If you search their website under manufacturers they have it listed under Folio Artistica. After selecting that, select Trapunta Plain. Then select a color (click right on the tile picture) and all the styles will come up.

Mine is biscuit and I used the 3x6 subway tile and the 6x6 s.Miniato wall deco along the bottom.

It was my husband's first tile job and I think he did a good job. I have not selected my grout yet but I love how it turned out. Thank you for the compliment.

Really glad I "searched" and found this thread. I'm going to bookmark it and keep coming back to it when I'm thinking I want to put my microwave somewhere other than OTR. I'm also going to look in to the Kenmore Elite...

I actually LOVE my OTR microwave. WE have a mid-sized kitchen, but really there was no counter space that I wanted to give up.

Here's mine. I debated about putting in a regular hood, but I didn't like other choice of location for the micro. It has worked out quite well. Would I rather have it a little lower - certainly, but you have to make trade-offs to maximize your kitchen potential.

Helene

This is our over-the-range microvent:

Another small kitchen with nowhere to put a microwave other than above the cooktop. My only complaint is that it's a little too high for me. I'm 5'1".

Bosch OTR.

Jodi-

I know this is an old post but I'm so glad I found it. Your kitchens are all beautiful. I'm hoping that I can get some updates or reliability from all the original posters from a year ago. Do you still like the brand of OTR micro that you chose? Would you buy it again? Any unexpected problems with handles, noise, heat?

My new kitchen will have three 33" upper and lower cabinets, a sink cabinet and a corner super Susan. It's smaller than many kitchens I've seen and loved on this site but it's mine and I'm ecstatic that it will be new and the old almond Formica with wood trim from the 80's will be gone. I understand the various issues connected to an OTR microwave but have decided NOT to give up any counter or cabinet space for it. Only the Tassimo coffee maker and toaster oven will be on the counter.

When space is at a premium choices have to be made. I need and will really appreciate 'GW GUIDANCE' on finding the best OTR microwave that can vent to the outside.